I used Innovation in 2009/2010 to assemble, tune, and dyno two new 540 cu.in.Dart short blocks with Mercury EFI top end(s). The price was reasonable, the engines were great. The shop, expertise, and experience was great. It has been 13 years since that experience, but based on that, I fully recommend Innovation Marine.

I am always curious what is reasonable?

Wondering what kind of power you got and which EFI's, I will be ready to next winter and want to start thinking about how much. Of course I know it will be more then what you paid but I have no benchmark now.

Honestly a bill from 12-13 years ago won't give you any idea for today's cost.

GO BRANDON!!!

my bad I thought it was 2019,,,,,,, yea that isn’t going to help.

so what would someone say a refreash on a 500EFI would be assuming new rotating assembly and new heads would run?

This is my post when the work was completed in Phantom Owner's forum:

Motors: 540 cu.in. Darts with the MerCruiser 502/415 top-end EFI. 9.5 pistons, Iron ProTopline cylinder heads (I think they are 290's, not 320's). The Dyno at Innovation using my Gil Headers, not tube headers for the dyno test:

Dyno Numbers from Innovation:

Horsepower:
Port Motor: 517.7 hp @ 5000 rpm
Starboard Motor: 519.4 hp @ 5000 rpm

These motors peak at 5000 rpm on horsepower

Peak torque:
Port Motor: 646.2 lb./ft. @ 3700 rpm
Starboard: 641.0 lb./ft. @ 3700 rpm

Flagship is 6 months out and does not deal directly with the public. Super nice people, but thats what I was told when I stopped by last Monday. He just said to have your mechanic/marina make the call.

Your loooking at probably 16k on that. A good friend is having both of his done right now and I know they are right at that each. Also good luck with getting pistons and heads right now.

depending on goals and hours on what you have it varies. if your crank and rods are fine, it saves you a ton. new rings arent much and if you stay with the same bore if cylenders are good even more of a savings. as for the heads, unless you want alum yours can be redone and will be fine, good valves and beehive springs are a good upgrade, a little more pricey but worth it. the real expense comes in if you change the tune etc. then you have to get into fuel delivery and injectors.

Incorrect, lots of shoddy (i hesitate to even use the word) workmanship here.

A bit off topic, but do u feel that's for all boating aspects? I am wanting my Cafe rigged & painted & have been debating to keep it in midwest to have places i have dealt with before do the work, or bring it down to FL where i will be living. My assumption was FL has more places to do the work, but then i hear all these scam stories. Unfortunately taking it to Lipship or the new Cig restoration place is not an option.